Tharoor gets praise from Modi for Oxford address

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was on Thursday singled out for praise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his much-applauded address at Oxford Union - something that could rile his fellow Congress party colleagues.

"What Shashi ji said has now gone viral on Youtube," Modi said at the inauguration of the Speaker's Research Initiative for Parliamentarians at the Parliament House complex here.

Tharoor has drawn much praise for his spirited argument at Oxford Union debate, demanding reparation payments by Britain to India for its 200-year colonial rule, which, he said, led to the crumbling of India's economy.

Modi said Tharoor's speech reflects the expressiveness of an Indian citizen.

Tharoor, who was seated in the room, acknowledged the praise with a smile.

Later, he told reporters that he feels honoured at the praise from the prime minister.

Tharoor has been under attack from party colleagues for some of his comments commending the prime minister's initiatives. He had also been invited by Modi to join his Swachch Bharat mission.

On Wednesday, the Congress leader was reportedly ticked off by party chief Sonia Gandhi for not being in favour of stalling parliament proceedings to demand resignations of BJP ministers and chief ministers accused of corruption and immorality.